Australian Open 2020: Ash Barty survives slow start to defeat Lesia Tsurenko in opening round

Nathan Williamson

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Australian Open 2020: Ash Barty survives slow start to defeat Lesia Tsurenko in opening round image

World number one Ash Barty survived an early scare against Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko before taking her first-round match 5-7 6-1 6-1 at the Australian Open.

After a slow start, Barty would take 12 of the last 14 games, wrapping the match up in just over 90 minutes.

The Australian got off to a nervy start, with Tsurenko breaking her serve in the opening game.

Barty would eventually get the set back on service, with both players trading breaks throughout the set.

Eventually, it was the 30-year-old Ukranian who found the killer blow, breaking the Barty serve in the 11th game to take the set 7-5.

This would serve as the perfect wake-up call for the reigning French Open champ, who lifted her game and proceeded to take the next three games.

Barty would take advantage of a loose showing from Tsurenko, who gave up 13 unforced errors during the set, securing the second set 6-1.


The third set would mirror the second, with the world number one showing her class by breaking immeadiately before securing the double-break shortly afterwards.

Whilst Tsrenko would avoid being whitewashed in the set, Barty would steamroll through the final two games to take the final set 6-1 and the match.


She will face the winner of Rebecca Peterson and Polona Hercog in the second round.

Nathan Williamson